When away from your child, do you often feel irritable, distressed, guilty, or prone to catastrophic thoughts? If these emotions occur frequently, such as when you’re at work, after dropping your child at school, or while they are with another family member, you might be experiencing Maternal Separation Anxiety (MSA). MSA makes parents worry about their child’s health or safety frequently, if not constantly. It may also trigger anxiety over the fear of missing crucial bonding opportunities. MSA can disrupt focus and concentration, cause mood swings, reduce sleep quality, or even cause panic a ..read more

Fear and anxiety are natural emotions and essential mechanisms to protect us from danger. Anxiety is the anticipation of a potential risk, while fear is a natural response to an ongoing or immediate threat, putting us in fight-or-flight mode. However, the brain cannot always distinguish between real and imagined dangers. If you feel anxious about a situation that doesn’t involve any risks or dangers, you may experience an irrational fear—the fear of a non-existent danger. For example, you might feel some anxiety before speaking in front of a crowd despite the lack of any real risks to being i ..read more

When we are in stressful situations, it is normal to feel anxious or angry. Both are normal psychological responses to worries, fears, frustrations, or injustice; many situations can trigger both. However, many individuals find it difficult to manage their anxiety. In some instances, anxiety induces anger, making angry responses to specific situations a symptom of underlying anxiety instead of a separate response. Understanding the connection between anxiety and anger can give you a safer, more effective way to regulate your emotions. It can improve your self-awareness and equip you to deal w ..read more

Finding ways to focus better with ADHD can often feel impossible when your mind is full of distractions and your body has endless energy. But by exploring and implementing various strategies, from task chunking and body doubling to therapy and medication, you can discover how small changes can lead to major improvements in your concentration and productivity. Chunk Your Tasks People with ADHD frequently find it difficult to begin tasks, often feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of what needs to be accomplished. Chunking breaks down larger projects, tasks, or information into smaller, more ma ..read more

Imagine navigating life with your mind constantly overwhelmed by worries, doubts, and fears. This is a reality for an estimated 31.1% of U.S. adults at some point in their lives. Understanding the cycle of anxiety is crucial to recognizing how these feelings often leave individuals trapped in a continuous loop of anxious thoughts and physical symptoms. Identifying the patterns and triggers that influence this cycle empowers you to develop effective strategies for managing anxiety. Whether you’re facing anxiety personally or supporting someone who is, understanding this cycle is an important s ..read more

In a culture that typically values extroversion, individuals who are more reserved or enjoy solitude may feel overlooked or misinterpreted. But is their quiet nature a sign that they’re an introvert or have social anxiety? Although they can appear similar, introversion and social anxiety have differences. Recognizing these differences is essential for understanding your personal experiences or those of your loved ones and finding appropriate ways to engage in social interactions comfortably so you can improve your quality of life. What Is an Introvert? Introversion is a personality trait in i ..read more

Until recently, ADHD was primarily viewed as a disorder affecting children, characterized by high levels of activity, difficulty maintaining focus in school, and constant fidgeting. However, it’s now understood that the condition isn’t always outgrown, as evidenced by approximately 8.7 million adults in the U.S. who continue to live with ADHD. People with ADHD have different brain structures and neurotransmitter levels that impact executive function. Affected individuals experience challenges in maintaining focus, managing impulses, and controlling their activity levels. If you have just been ..read more

A panic attack is a sudden surge of overwhelming fear or anxiety that often comes on without warning. Symptoms of a panic attack can be very intense and can cause physical symptoms such as a racing heartbeat, sweating, trembling, shortness of breath, chest pain, and feelings of impending doom or death. Panic attacks can be very distressing and can interfere with a person’s daily life, making it difficult for individuals to function normally.  Panic attacks are typically associated with anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and spe ..read more

Creating healthy daily habits is crucial for maintaining and improving mental wellness. Just as physical exercise contributes to overall fitness, consistent and positive habits play a vital role in nurturing a healthy mind. These habits provide stability, structure, and a sense of control over one’s mental state, leading to increased resilience and improved emotional well-being. One essential habit is practicing mindfulness and meditation. Taking a few minutes each day to focus on the present moment helps reduce stress, enhance self-awareness, and promote relaxation. Another beneficial habit i ..read more

A healthy diet is crucial for anyone, but especially for individuals suffering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A TBI can cause a range of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms, such as memory loss, difficulty with concentration, and depression, which can all be impacted by nutrition. A well-balanced diet can help to minimize these symptoms and support the healing process. A healthy diet for someone with a TBI should include plenty of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. These foods provide essential vitamins and minerals that suppo ..read more